After receiving the Pokeball containing Salazzle from Yujira's psychic powers, Natsuhiko didn't hesitate and released it immediately.
As the leader who received the most resources from such an enormous Salandit clan, this Salazzle was quite powerful, with decent physical fitness, having regained basic consciousness upon being summoned.
Natsuhiko gave Cherrim on his shoulder a glance.
Cherrim waved its hands and cast Healing Fluctuation on Salazzle, which finally regained some ability to move.
"Hiss—"
Salazzle looked at Natsuhiko, its previous ferocity and anger were gone, leaving only reverence.
It slightly bowed, appearing... obsequious?
Natsuhiko's lips slightly curved upward.
Dealing with such intelligent Pokémon, ones who have a clear sense of self, is straightforward. Without needing to say much, Salazzle already understood it was definitely not a match, and it would be more sensible to submit obediently.
It glanced at Beedrill with a look full of apprehension.
That final Direct Charge Drill hit really hurt.
The nearby Salandit who were still standing noticed Salazzle's display and no longer resisted, obediently lying down on the ground.
"Yongji." Yujira's eyes glimmered, translating for Natsuhiko.
"How many female Salandit are in your clan?" Natsuhiko asked the question he was most concerned about first.
Salazzle's face showed embarrassment, but it still answered honestly.
"Hiss....."
Natsuhiko's eyes narrowed slightly.
Sixty-four?
That's a bit less than he had imagined. It seems this Salazzle hasn't hesitated to eliminate those female Salandit who were about to evolve.
But it's still plenty.
With so many female Salandit plus this Salazzle, the pheromones they can produce should be quite impressive.
Another Pokémon Race with sustainable resource output.
"Tell me where we are, what other clans are around, and any strong Pokémon," Natsuhiko continued.
This time, Salazzle was very straightforward, sharing all the information it knew.
Meanwhile, some of the Salandit who were not too severely injured began to wake up, seeing Natsuhiko and the others still standing, and their Queen Salazzle displaying a respectful demeanor, they quickly understood the general situation.
With just four Pokémon, they had swept through their entire enormous clan.
Although the Salandit knew they were not adept at direct combat, such strength was enough to make them give up any thoughts of resistance, especially since even Salazzle had submitted.
Each one that woke up quietly moved behind Salazzle, lying on the ground without daring to make a move.
Listening to Salazzle, Natsuhiko's expression turned a bit odd.
He exchanged looks with Yujira.
Yujira indicated there was no issue with the translation.
"So, saying... you don't know how to leave this sprawling and complex tunnel, even Salazzle doesn't know, could it be that I've been directly transported to the Underworld of Alternate Space?" Natsuhiko murmured.
And from Salazzle's words, he learned that there are several Pokémon clans in these surrounding tunnels, each with strength not inferior to the Salandit clan.
For instance, the Excadrill clan, which has always had a tense relationship with them.
Excadrill, as Steel Type and Ground Type Pokémon, are adept at digging, naturally possessing advantages in this rocky and predominantly Rock-type and Ground-type Pokémon tunnel.
Indeed, that's the case.
Except they encountered the Salandit clan.
Salandit as Poison-type Pokémon, their Poison-type Techniques shouldn't be much of a threat to Steel-type Excadrill, but whether Salazzle or Salandit, they have a trait unique to them alone in the Pokemon Realm — Corrosion trait.
Corrosion trait is the only one allowing Steel-type and Poison-type Pokémon to be poisoned, even though Poison-type Techniques still can't cause damage, poisoning works, plus Salazzle and Salandit are adept at using little tricks, releasing aromatic Poison Gas or even Pheromone Gas, becoming quite troublesome.
Besides, Salandit and Salazzle are Fire-type Pokémon, strongly restraining Steel-type Pokémon.
However, Excadrill are not only Steel-type Pokémon but also Ground-type Pokémon, offering fourfold restraint against Salandit.
Hence, these two clans became mortal enemies, mutually restraining and harming each other.
Besides Excadrill, there's the relatively neutral Gigalith clan and the Magcargo clan closest to the scorching lava region.
The largest are these four clans, though there are also some smaller clans.
Additionally, Salazzle mentioned that at the deepest part of this tunnel, there's a very strong Pokémon that has lived here for decades, no clan dares provoke it.
Even.
Because generations have passed without approaching, they now don't even know what kind of fearsome Pokémon it is.
Only knowing that approaching means death.
As for the other Pokémon clans, Natsuhiko isn't very concerned, even about the Excadrill, but this mysterious powerful Pokémon piques his interest.
Though they've fought these Salandit for several hours today, the Pokémon are all quite exhausted, so there's no rush to explore other areas.